PETER LOVENKRANDS has one simple response to those who say Newcastle United can not win the Carling Cup: “Why not?”

The Dane watched on last season as Birmingham City turned over Arsenal at Wembley in the final on a day when former United No 9 Obafemi Martins bagged the winner in a 2-1 victory.

But unlike the Blues – who were relegated – Lovenkrands does not see any reason why the Magpies can’t solidify their Premier League position and succeed in the League Cup.

Lovenkrands – who has enjoyed cup success in Scotland with Glasgow’s big guns Rangers – told the Chronicle ahead of this evening’s clash with Nottingham Forest: “Last year Birmingham won against Arsenal in the final – nobody expected them to win anything.

“They did it, and I don’t see why we can’t.

“It’s a good competition to be part of, and we can do well in it.

“We have a squad to do that – we’ve got a big squad – and there are a lot of players who are dying to play.

“There’ll be people trying to prove themselves in front of the gaffer.

“It’ll be a great contest, and hopefully we can move on to the next round.”

Lovenkrands was part of the side that helped turn around a 1-0 disadvantage into a place in the third round.

The Dane has since helped the Mags to a 2-1 win over Fulham, but has sat out both matches against Queens Park Rangers and Aston Villa as an unused sub.

But looking back on a tricky night at Glanford Park, Lovenkrands said: “In the first half against Scunthorpe I didn’t think we played very well, but in the second half we were tremendous.

“We should have won it in the second half given the amount of chances we had, but we got through it.

“I think we deserved to go through.”

Ex-Rangers and Schalke 04 man Lovenkrands is knocking on the door for his chance once again tonight and looking for his first goal of the season.

However, speaking with confidence ahead of the tie, Lovenkrands said: “I’ve scored something like 100 goals in my professional career - I’ve scored goals everywhere I’ve been, no matter what league I’ve been in.

“I know I can score goals and, if I get a chance, I’ve got to prove it.”